PESHAWAR: A grand jirga convened today at the Chief Minister House in Peshawar, hosted by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur.
The gathering, which aims to address pressing peace and security concerns in the province, saw the participation of high-level political figures and parliamentarians from across the country.
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Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi represented the federal government at the Jirga, while KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also joined the proceedings. Prominent members of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, along with leaders from various political parties, were in attendance.
Notable figures included Aimal Wali Khan, Prof Ibrahim, Mohsin Dawar, Mian Iftikhar Hussain, Muhammad Ali Shah Bacha, Sikandar Sherpao, Speaker of the Provincial Assembly Babar Saleem Swati, Leader of the Opposition Ibadullah Khan, and Federal Minister Amir Muqam.
In his inaugural address, CM Gandapur expressed gratitude to all the participants for attending and trusting him to lead the Jirga. “We are gathered here today for the sake of peace in the province, setting aside political affiliations,” he said. Gandapur stressed that the protection of life and property, whether of citizens or security forces, was the government’s top priority. He expressed optimism that the Jirga would pave the way for a peaceful resolution to ongoing challenges, noting that problems can be solved through negotiation, not conflict or violence.
The chief minister also highlighted that the jirga follows the long-standing Pashtun tradition of resolving disputes through dialogue, vowing to respect the input of all participants.
KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also addressed the jirga, underscoring the importance of engaging in dialogue with those who respect the country’s constitution and laws. He praised the armed forces for their role in establishing peace across the province but noted that it is now the provincial government’s responsibility to address local issues and improve governance.
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“We have limited time,” Governor Kundi said, referring to a recent incident in Khyber, urging swift negotiations to find a solution. He reaffirmed that, despite political differences, peace and prosperity in the province remain the top priorities for all leaders present.
The meeting concluded with the participants granting Chief Minister Gandapur the authority to negotiate with the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM). A plan of action is expected to be finalised soon, according to a spokesperson for the Chief Minister.